Egypt Air’s subsidiary Air Cairo has announced plans to introduce two new routes to Belgrade and expand its operations in Serbia. It came following talks between the airline’s CEO, Hussein Sherif, with the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate, Air Serbia and representatives of the Serbian government. The airline, which currently maintains scheduled year-round operations between Hurghada and Belgrade, plans to introduce regular flights between Sharm-el-Sheikh and the Serbian capital, as well as services from Cairo next April. “Increasing the number of flights and expanding our destination network will result in better connectivity between Serbia and Egypt, which is a positive step in bilateral relations”, Mr Sherif said.
Air Cairo’s CEO noted the airline plans to cater for holidaymakers but also connecting traffic from Africa as well. “Serbian citizens who live and work in Africa will be able to fly directly via Cairo to Belgrade, rather than Istanbul or another European city, as has been the case up until now. Many people from Serbia live in South Africa and will soon have the opportunity to travel back to their homeland via Cairo in cooperation with Egypt Air”, Mr Sherif said. He added, “Furthermore, people from Africa will have the chance to travel to the Balkans and Europe. We will work on developing tourism ties and enabling easier access for businessmen and investors”.
Air Cairo is looking to expand its cooperation with Air Serbia with Mr Sherif holding talks with the airline’s General Manager for Commercial and Strategy Jiri Marek. Traffic rights have been a major sticking point between Serbia and Egypt due to a stringent bilateral air service agreement in place between the two countries. However, following talks between the airlines and government officials from both Serbia and Egypt, the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate said yesterday, “At the meeting it was concluded for the representatives of each airline to define the potential expansion of capacity between the two countries”. Next summer, Air Cairo also plans to introduce services between Sharm-el-Sheikh and Niš, which it initially intended on launching in the summer of 2019 but was blocked by the Serbian regulator.
Nice.
ReplyDeleteI’m interested to see if this means Air Cairo will take over the Cairo-Belgrade route from Air Serbia or if Air Serbia will bring back these flights which will be codeshare by Air Cairo.
ReplyDeleteI think Air Serbia will give up the route to Air Cairo and use its capacity elsewhere. They will probably codeshare and Air Cairo will schedule the flights similar to its Hurghada ones so it can get connecting traffic in both directions.
DeleteI'm surprised Egypt Air didn't consider introducing scheduled flights from CAI to BEG.
DeleteI do hope Air Cairo is taking over this route, which is my understanding. At least that way we will be certain the route will last while Air Serbia often starts something, then cancels it or turns it seasonal.
Delete@9.10
DeleteI think Air Cairo lands at 04.30 and returns at 05.30 so they 'open' the business day at BEG. :D
Air Cairo operating Cairo would be a win win for them and Air Serbia.
DeleteHow can Air Cairo replacing JU be a win for Air Serbia? Not only will their brand disappear in CAI but Air Cairo openly said that their goal is to carry tourists and to feed their mother airline: MS.
DeleteFor JU, the problem is that CAI is close to 3 hours so the route can't fit into their nigh wave.
I really don't think they had much of an opportunity in establishing their brand in Cairo for the 9 months they flew there.
DeleteJU seems to be adjusting their departures from their 'usual' waves.
DeleteFor example, LCA has departures at 10:20, ROV at 20:30, there were plans for CDG and ZRH with 4pm departures.
CAI isn't the only destination where the length of flight is an issue. MAD, ROV and their planned AMM flights all had issues with adequately fitting into their waves.
I think more departures in these 2 smaller waves will follow, making these longer destinations more viable.
I think there is too much competition for JU in CAI, something that they don't have as much in LCA, ROV or KRR where they seem to do ok.
DeleteGood news. Air Cairo has been flying year round to Belgrade for years. It’s unfortunate they haven’t been allowed to add more flights from Hurghada even after Air Serbia had to refuse adding more charters this summer because of insufficient capacity
ReplyDeleteHurghada was one of the busiest routes from BEG last year.
DeleteWhich is why they brought JU to the meeting to let them know that their era of supreme domination in Egypt is officially over.
DeleteEgypt is supposed to buy weapons from Serbia so the government wants to make them very happy regarding Air Cairo.
the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate said yesterday, “At the meeting it was concluded for the representatives of each airline to define the potential expansion of capacity between the two countries”.
ReplyDeleteShows the directorate couldn't care less and that Air Serbia is the one that decides which airline can and can't fly.
Exactly. And they here join forces with Air Cairo to push against Turkish on African market.
DeleteJU won't profit much from this and that. Look at how expensive code-share agreements are on their website. Egyptair and Air Cairo will profit the most from this. However this is good competition and it should bring down the ticket price. Btw there is also FZ-EK which covers the African market from BEG.
DeleteGreat news
ReplyDeleteWell that was unexpected.
ReplyDeleteI don't think its surprising considering the current crazy demand between Serbia and Egypt. There are several flights per day to Hurghada. Up to 9 on some days.
DeleteIs it fair to say that the demand is mostly one way, for Serbians holidaying in Egypt?
DeleteYes, almost completely.
DeleteSo what happens to these flights in low season?
DeleteThey are full. Obviously there are not 9 flights per day but there are 5 weekly flights. Hurghada is a year round destination and even cheaper in winter.
DeleteGotcha, thanks.
DeleteAny new connection is good
ReplyDeleteI always found it interesting how Air Cairo flies to BEG year round on what are summer holiday routes.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people during winter months is seeking to go somewhere where climate is nicer and Northern Africa have perfect climate and also is close and cheap.
DeleteThat is the reason why Egypt have year round flights to Belgrade.
It's cheaper to spend 2 weeks in Hurghada in winter then stay at home in Belgrade. I'm serious, whole hotel package and air fare included.
DeleteTrue. It is value for money.
DeleteThis is also a great development for Nis. It would also be nice if we see Turkish or Pegasus launch flights from Istanbul.
ReplyDeleteWith the current bilateral, I'm not sure it's possible for them to launch another route in Serbia.
DeleteThey wanted to introduce Sharm-Belgrade flights in 2019 too but were blocked by the directorate.
ReplyDeleteSo senseless. The block I mean.
DeleteNot bad about the potential codeshare with Air Serbia. Air Cairo flies some domestic routes from CAI like Aswan, Luxor, Sharm, Hurghada. Could be really beneficial for JU.
ReplyDeleteNice good luck to them. So that will be three destinations from Egypt in total with scheduled flights to BEG.
ReplyDeleteGreat news. Good to see more and more flights in the pipeline for BEG.
ReplyDeleteGood thing about BEG is that it's a source of outbound tourism so in the future we will see more and more airlines add flights.
DeleteDo Egyptians need visa to enter Serbia?
ReplyDeleteI read yesterday that government is in discussions with Egypt to mutually lift visas.
DeleteThe only reason Egypt keeps visa for Serbian citizens is that they want the visa money.
DeleteIt's more symbolic. You get it through the tour operator. At the moment I think visa fees are waived because of covid.
DeleteGood to see Cairo coming back.
ReplyDeleteAwesome news! Always good to see some more exotic airlines at BEG.
ReplyDeleteI really like their livery :)
ReplyDeleteMuch better than what they used to have ;)
DeleteIs Air Cairo an LCC?
ReplyDeleteNope, they serve a full hot meal and luggage is included.
DeleteThey are low fare but not low cost.
DeleteThey are not low cost. But they are from Egypt so costs are low by default
DeleteIt's normal, Egypt is a budget destination and visited mostly by Russians and Ukranians because they can afford it compared to Mykonos or Italy.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of en masse tourism to Chalkidiki.
Actually it's not that similar. Egypt/Hurghada unlike Chalkidiki is a plane destination and people stay in 5 star all inclusive resorts. It's Egypt so it's cheap.
DeleteEgypt is popular with tourists from everywhere in Europe, not just Russians and Ukrainians. Or you want us to believe everyone in western Europe holidays in Mykonos and Italy. Spare me. Also, what's it like spending time in Mykonos or the Italian coast in December?
DeleteOh boy how many UK and German citizens I have seen in Egypt.
DeleteWhat a nonsense!
Yes, my point. Egypt is cheap and affordable destination even for their neighbours. Mykonos, Santorini, Italy, Ibiza remain for the richer tourists.
DeleteOh, my favorite type of commentator - blabbing on about how Serbian (and this time Russian/Ukrainian) tourists are broke while the grandiose "Westerners" are rich. In my quite numerous and long travels I haven't encountered worse cheapskates than "western" tourists.
DeleteHe loves repeating that yet this year Belgrade got nonstop flights to Santorini.
DeleteSantorini - hmm is it that cheap destination in poor Greece?
DeleteIt depends on how you look at it. Some destinations are just more prestigious such as French Riviera, Santorini, Myknos, Italian coast, Dubrovnik, etc.
DeleteBut, good to have a budget destination such as Egypt.
Oh boy it's the "prestigious guy". Well good to know BEG has flights to Nice, Santorini, Mykonos, charters to the Italian coast and Dubrovnik. So all areas are covered.
DeleteDubrovnik in the same league as French Riviera? Sure, ok.
DeleteLuckily for us here in poor Serbia we had/have flights to both Dubrovnik and Nice.
I really wonder how it is possible that all these poor Serbs could afford to fly to all these prestigious destinations.
DeleteThere must be some political influence there.
:)
Must be... or if all else fails call it a "refugee route" as some here have done in the pasr.
DeleteThis is good because Air Cairo will also work on bringing Egyptians to Serbia.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed
ReplyDeleteMore destination to Asia and Africa give extra important position to new redevelopment of Belgrade's Air Hub. Increasing destinations to Canada and USA are crucial. 🛫
ReplyDeleteWhy are these so crucial ?
DeleteI would've thought what is crucial, is to conserve cash burn, especially on long haul adventures which take at least 4 - 5 yrs to mature. Meanwhile, they have more pressing issues like narrowbody and regional fleet issues to consider in order to strengthen their regional and europe routes, which are far more crucial to longer term survival ..
If someone is planning on leaving Air Serbia before 4-5 years are up, they obviously won't be able to document positive effects of a new long haul route on their CVs. Therefore it's easier to focus on immediate, low hanging fruit goals such as: championed successful retirement of 737 fleet.
DeleteFrom Air Serbia long term goals point of view, starting new long haul services is FAR more important than so called pressing issues. All those issues can be done while new long haul services are operating and maturing.
Not when you are EUR80M + in the hole.....
DeleteAdd to that a regional fleet which has an av. fleet age of 25 + years and you have some serious issues which need to be addressed. Air Serbia is nearing 10 yrs since its inception and fleet issues have been the forgotten story
Hopefully Egypt Air also puts its codes on Air Cairo flights to BEG.
ReplyDeleteThey announced at the end of last year that they would. It was published here. I remember reading it.
DeleteWould be a good move for both airlines.
DeleteEgypt Air codeshares on Aegean's flights to Belgrade.
DeleteMS 9232/9233
DeleteComing up next Kraljevo Morava - Sharm el Sheik :D
ReplyDeleteNot until they extend the runway :)
DeleteIt's impressive how much demand there is between Egypt and Serbia.
ReplyDeleteCheap destination but different compared to Greece and even Turkey. Not surprised.
DeleteJU should sign a codeshare with them on domestic routes. They they could get transfers via Cairo to resort towns.
ReplyDeleteAir Cairo seems to have that idea.
DeleteWhat is interesting is that for years now the charter business was JU's exclusive domain. They were supreme on it and faced next to no competition. It was expected that other airlines will try to steal a piece of the cake from JU. Already happened in Spain (Vueling from BCN), happened in Crete this year with Aegean and Wizz Air and it almost happened with Turkey.
ReplyDeleteAir Serbia needs to fix its relationship with tour operators because they are not happy. They will keep on supporting JU's competition. There is a reason why Air Cairo wants to operate these routes, they were most likely requested by local tour operators.
I don't know why you think Air Serbia has a bad relationship with tour operators.
DeleteI heard some information that tour operators actually go to Air Cairo only if they have no other option with JU.
DeleteAir Serbia is surely first choice for them.
Nope, it really isn't. JU angered many tour operators when it changed their commercial policy and payment terms this year. Air Cairo has boosted BEG this year and they have done really well over the years in BEG.
DeleteHow many weekly flights does Air Cairo have? They are not operating any charters.
Delete"other airlines will try to steal a piece of the cake from JU. Already happened in Spain (Vueling from BCN)"
DeleteOther way around. Vueling was flying BCN-BEG for years when Air Serbia introduced regular service and took a portion of the market.
"Air Cairo has boosted BEG this year"
If anyone boosted Egypt this year, it's Air Serbia with sometimes 8-9 daily flights.
"it changed their commercial policy and payment terms this year"
What airline didn't make changes since the start of pandemic?
"tour operators because they are not happy"
Most are, except for a tiny number of politically motivated ones.
This last comment looks like something Marek would write. lol
DeleteAir Serbia boosted Egypt because other airlines were banned. Several applied but then ... shock... they were blocked. Remember how many difficulties Al Masria had and eventually they gave up? Air Egypt or whatever is called was also blocked this year. Naturally JU ends up being dominant on the market when others are forced out.
Air Cairo can't be completely banned since they are owned by MS.
As for tour operators, no one is happy to be getting worse conditions. That is why they are shifting to JU's competition. Who do you think invited Anadoloujet to consider BEG? It surely didn't happen on their own.
JU still doesn't get how to fight competition. When they blocked Air Cairo from flying from INI that was when they were supposed to introduce flights themselves. In stead they added fuel to the fire and created a mess.
Who is this Marek guy ? He doesn't have a particular good track record behind him ... just look at Alitalia and LOT .... not a great track record and the same will happen once he leaves Air Serbia
DeleteHopefully they introduce more convenient day time flights
ReplyDeleteAs a tourist these are the best times you can have because when flying to there you arrive in the morning so have the entire day in Hurghada and on the way back you depart late at night, meaning again you have the entire day in Hurghada.
DeleteThe only problem - you have to pay extra for early check in and late check out.
DeleteWhaaaaaattt !?!?! you serious?
DeleteThat's not how it works. Tour operators always agree with hotel early or late arrival/departure.
DeleteLet's see. I wouldn't be surprised if Air Cairo gets to fly Sharm as a scheduled year round route while Air Serbia takes Cairo.
ReplyDeleteDoubt it. It seems Air Serbia is quite willing to give up this route and get a codeshare in return.
DeleteConsidering Air Serbia has been dragging its feet in restoring Cairo I'm quite glad Air Cairo will step in.
ReplyDeleteLooking forwards to seeing more of them in Belgrade.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone actually flown with them? What are they like?
ReplyDeleteWhy no Egypt Air though :(
ReplyDelete